Days after crowning Leo Messi for the eighth time as the best footballer in the world in Paris, 'France Football' publishes this Saturday its special edition dedicated to the winners of the Ballon d'Or, the Argentine star and the Blaugrana Aitana Bonmatí. In the interview with the French publication Messi acknowledges that he always wanted to return to Barcelona, which he calls his 'home', he talks about his life in Miami, his options to play in the 2036 World Cup with Argentina and about his future.
“My first idea was always to return home, to be able to play in Barcelona again and retire there as I had always dreamed of, but it was not possible,” he says. The Argentine striker compares the situation last summer, when he was about to return to FC Barcelona, with the one he experienced in 2021, when he left the Catalan club: “I could have returned to Barcelona but it wasn't like that. “It was similar to having to leave in 2021.”
For the best player of all time, his life as a Blaugrana is over. Although there have been rumors of a possible loan to Barça while he restarts the season in the MLS, Messi assures that the door to wearing this shirt again is closed: “There is no possibility. Absolutely. Of course I will miss playing the Champions League or the League for the rest of my life, games with a special flavor. But I enjoyed it as much as I could, so I don't have any frustration.” That is why Messi ends his life in European football: “Thank God I had an extraordinary career in Europe and won everything I dreamed of. Now that I have decided to come to the United States, I don't think I will play in Europe again.”
Before signing for Inter Miami, the former Blaugrana had many offers but he is happy with the decision he made: “I had many offers on the table this year... including several European clubs and Saudi Arabia. We decided to come to Miami and it is a decision that we are happy with, we feel good here. ”An environment in which he claims to be able to enjoy his family life more:“ We enjoy daily life more than before with my family. We can do many more things together, and I can share moments with my wife and children that I missed before.”
Leo Messi also reviews one of the best moments of his career, the World Cup won with Argentina last winter: “A thousand things passed through my head... It was mine, but also that of my family, my friends and all of Argentina. I said to myself, 'Okay, I won it all.'" Although not everything was pretty, she didn't like his reaction to Weghorst and the now famous 'What are you looking at, stupid?': “I admit that I didn't like seeing myself like that, how I reacted, but they are moments of tension and it can happen... .”.
The next World Cup will be in 2036, but Messi does not close this door completely: “Taking into account the age I will be at that time, it seems difficult, but we'll see.” What he is clear about is where his future lies: “I will return to live in Barcelona, where my friends are.” Of course, he doesn't see himself as a coach: “I don't think so.”
Messi offered a speech that sounded like a farewell to the elite at the Theater du Chatelet in Paris. Playing in a minor league, it is unlikely that he will fight for a Ballon d'Or again and the Argentine is already talking about his successors on the throne: “There will be a very good battle in the coming years, with players like Haaland, Mbappé, Vinícius. ..” In addition to other new faces such as that of a Blaugrana: “Lamine Yamal, who is still very young but who already plays for Barça and is decisive.”
In the interview with 'France Football' he also had time to talk about the rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo: “It was a very good battle on a sporting level. We feed off each other's rivalry, because we are both great competitors. He also always wanted to win everything, all the time. It was a very pleasant moment for both of them and for everyone who loves football. I think we deserve a lot of credit for being able to stay on top for so long. It is extremely difficult to stay at the top for ten or fifteen years. It was a great moment and I think it remains a great memory for everyone who followed us.”
